Latino USA
Latino USA is the longest-running news and culture radio program in the U.S. centering Latino stories, hosted by Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Maria Hinojosa. Every week, the Peabody winning team brings you revealing, in-depth stories about what’s in the hearts and minds of Latinos and their impact on the world.
Episodes
Anthony Ramos Finds His Voice
Actor and singer Anthony Ramos is a powerhouse who broke out in Broadway’s smash hit, Hamilton. From theater to the silver screen and even owning a bar in Brooklyn, Ramos is also a proud New Yorker always hungry for his next project. His latest endeavor is an English-language salsa album, infused with Ramos’ signature R&B-style vocals over a bed of Latin percussion and horns. In th
More than Natural Disasters: Colombia, Venezuela, Puerto Rico
Thousands are dead, thousands more injured and missing. The earthquakes in Colombia and Venezuela have been devastating. And while there are similarities in the neighboring countries, an expert told us the biggest difference is in the rebuilding phase right now: One country prepared and trained for the response– the other didn’t. And not too far, in the Caribbean, people are goin
Flipping Texas: Gina Hinojosa Wants to Become Texas’ First Latina Governor
Texas holds the second-most electoral votes in the nation and is often a testing ground for policies that later manifest across the U.S. But can historically Republican Texas turn blue? And if so, what impact could it have on the rest of the country? We speak to two Democratic contenders hoping to shift the next election. In this episode, Maria Hinojosa speaks with Gina Hinojosa, a Texas Sta
Flipping Texas: Can “Moderate” Democrat Bobby Pulido Court Back Latino Voters?
Texas holds the second-most electoral votes in the nation and is often a testing ground for policies that later manifest across the U.S. But can historically Republican Texas turn blue? And if so, what impact could it have on the rest of the country? We speak to two Democratic contenders hoping to shift the next election. In this episode, Maria Hinojosa sits down with Tejano superstar Bobby
How My Faja Saved Me: Surviving Gun Violence
In 2022, 18-year-old Lisbeth Bencosme was shot four times on a sidewalk in Harlem. She was a new mom at the time, and it was her faja, a staple postpartum girdle for many Latinas, that would keep her alive until medics arrived. In this episode, we meet Lisbeth, a true badass New Yorker who takes us on her path healing from gun violence and postpartum depression, in a country where there’s li
Melissa Barrera’s Big Year: From Broadway to Hollywood Executive
Melissa Barrera is having quite the year. In April, she made her Broadway debut, landing a dream role as ‘Rose’ in the musical parody Titanique. She’s also an executive producer on the award-winning documentary film Traces of Home, which is set to have its theatrical release this fall. And she’s launching her very own production company. After being dropped from the Scream
Orgullosa Returns: Unlawfully Deported, A family Rebuilds Their Lives
In late April, Orgullosa and her children packed up their belongings in Honduras and boarded a plane back to the U.S. after a court ruling said that they were wrongfully removed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. In this episode, we follow the difficulties Orgullosa and her family faced in Honduras, after their unlawful deportation, the struggles they’re now going through after their re
The Meaning of Ricky Martin’s Evolution
A few months ago, Maria Garcia was watching the Benito Bowl when an unexpected artist came on: the one and only Ricky Martin. Maria knew this was a touchstone moment — the artist who most represented the ‘90s Latin Boom was singing a song of resistance, in Spanish. And then Maria’s 11-year-old son said, “Who’s that???” Today, in an exclusive listen to the
Salsa in NYC: Rosie Perez live at WNYC
Rosie Perez has long been synonymous with New York and hip hop culture, starting with her appearances on “Soul Train”, her iconic choreographies and her big break with Spike Lee in “Do the Right Thing”. But when the Oscar, Golden Globe, and Emmy-nominated actress received a call to host a podcast about salsa music history, the native Nuyorican immediately said yes. Rosie is
The Best (and Worst) of the 2026 World Cup
The Men’s World Cup may be over but there’s so much to talk about still. We sit down with a soccer expert and superfan to discuss the significance of this summer’s tournament. We get into the many “firsts” in a global competition that’s been around for almost 100 years; the controversial moments and most joyful storylines; and Spain’s journey to the covete
A Live Performance and Interview with Venezuelan Musician Ella Bric
Venezuelan musician and composer Ella Bric made history as the first woman to win producer of the year at the 2018 Latin Grammys. The trumpet player made a name for herself after moving to New York City and most recently made waves on Karol G’s Mañana Sera Bonito Tour. In this special Latino USA collaboration with WNYC, we bring you a live conversation and performance recorded in fron
Five Days in Palestina
In early February, Latino USA traveled to the occupied West Bank to learn about the roots of the deep connections between Latinos and Palestinians. Maria Hinojosa and producer Nour Saudi accompanied a group of U.S. students and academics as they traveled from Jordan to Ramallah with their counterparts from a Palestinian university. Speaking with refugees, community leaders and student activists, w
Harvey Guillén: Breaking Hollywood Molds
When actor Harvey Guillén auditioned for a role written for a character 20 years older than him, he got cast anyway. In this intimate conversation with Maria Hinojosa, Harvey reveals how he became the breakout heart of What We Do in the Shadows as Guillermo, the vampires’ overworked human assistant who refused to stay a sidekick. In this 2025 Latino USA episode, Harvey explains how he
The Sacred Indigenous Story of the Coca Leaf
Indigenous groups in South America have been cultivating the coca leaf for 8 millennia. But when the coca leaf became the base ingredient for cocaine, its story changed. In 1961, the United Nations classified the coca leaf in the same category as cocaine itself, regulating it at the same level. But the coca leaf is not a narcotic drug—it is a mild natural stimulant, venerated as sacred by ma
Andrés Cantor: The Man Behind "Goooool!"
Andrés Cantor has been a sports announcer for almost 40 years. He’s received eight Emmy Awards for his broadcasting and a place in the National Soccer Hall of Fame. You know his voice. His “Gooooooooool” has been featured everywhere from Late Night to the Simpsons. In this special episode of our new podcast “American Futbol,” we get into the nitty gritty of cal
Released To Die: Episode 3
After months out of prison, Frank Ross’ dementia has progressed. At times, he can no longer remember why he needs to wear the GPS monitor the law requires, putting his freedom at risk. He is dealing with serious health issues while adapting to his new life at the healthcare facility. While Frank struggles to live out his release in peace, we learn about a bill that advocates and some lawmake
Released To Die: Episode 2
Michie, an incarcerated woman serving a life sentence at a Pennsylvania prison, learned early on that she needed to advocate for her own health behind bars. Over the decades and as she grew older, she says she witnessed many friends grow ill and die behind bars. Then, in her late 60’s, she discovers that she too has breast cancer. As Michie recounts the challenges of getting older - and sick
Released To Die: Episode 1
Frank Ross was sentenced to die in prison – but after decades behind bars, he faces a new shot at freedom. At 93-years-old, Frank Ross is struggling with serious health issues. He’s able to secure a medical transfer to live out his final days at a healthcare facility through a law commonly known as “compassionate release.” Frank’s story is representative of a growing
More Than A Degree: A Celebration of Family in Fresno
This graduation ceremony is not like the rest. Here, when students walk on stage to get their diplomas, announcers call the students' names, and also the names of their parents. We went to the 50th Annual Chicano/Latino Commencement Celebration at Fresno State, which is the largest, bilingual, bicultural affinity graduation celebration in the country. We go to the heart of California’s Centr
Zohran Mamdani: Welcome to NYC, Where Fútbol Meets Joy, Politics and Tacos
NYC has, arguably, dubbed its number one fan: Mayor Zohran Mamdani. The mayor has been celebrating big after the Knicks’ NBA Championship win, and cheering during the World Cup. To him, it’s more than sports; it’s political. “The World Cup offers us a chance to know each other as we truly are, to be curious, to be excited, to be joyful,” he told Latino USA. “Her
David Archuleta on Coming Out, American Idol, and Faith
In the early 2000’s David Archuleta broke into stardome on American Idol, capturing the hearts of millions. But behind the scenes he was grappling with his sexuality and faith. “I felt like if people found this out about me, they would know how dirty I was,” he told Maria Hinojosa when talking about what the Mormon Church made him feel, early on, when he began to realize he
Mon Laferte & Francisca Valenzuela Speak Up About Music and Feminism
Mon Laferte and Francisca Valenzuela are both Chilean singer-songwriters using their platforms to draw attention to important issues while creating meaningful change. From Mon walking a red carpet in 2019 at the Latin Grammys, bare-breasted, with words calling out femicide, to Francisca’s founding of Ruidosafest, the all-Latina music festival and research platform, the two women are working
Mon Laferte: Una conversación con la femme fatale de la música y su nuevo álbum, ya disponible
La cantautora chilena Mon Laferte es una máquina en la industria musical como activista, artista y feminista. Creció con sus héroes musicales chilenos guiándola, como Violeta Parra y Víctor Jara. Entonces, no es sorpresa que ella también siga sus pasos, trabajando por un mundo más justo para todos. Su nuevo álbum, titulado “Femme Fatale
Rosie Perez Traces the Birth of Salsa in Nueva York
Oscar and Emmy-nominated actress Rosie Perez takes us on the journey of the birth of salsa in Nueva York and the rebellious, seductive and political label that defined it: Fania Records. The 1960s brings social and political change to the world and to New York City, where a young Johnny Pacheco keeps people dancing with his orchestra and charanga music. The Dominican musician is also going through
A Decade After Pulse: The Quest for Accountability
This June marks a decade since one of the worst mass shootings in U.S. history at the gay nightclub Pulse in Orlando, Florida. “Sometimes when I close my eyes, I see when I was on the floor on [sic] that restroom,” Jorshua Hernández Carrión, a survivor of the shooting, told us. Through an interview with Jorshua, and a review of the investigations, Latino USA u
Tab Ramos and the Rebirth of U.S. Soccer
When Tab Ramos’ family migrated from Uruguay as a child in the 1970s, he had no idea he’d play a role in the rebirth of U.S. soccer. “I remember telling my father at the time: out of all the countries in the world that we could move to, why do we have to move to the one that doesn't have soccer?” Tab said. But Tab became one of the best U.S. soccer players of the 1990s and
The Game We Love
The Men’s World Cup is coming to our continent – and to this country! But what does soccer mean in the U.S.? Latino USA’s own Fernanda Echavarri asks that question in our new show “American Futbol.” We hear from immigrants all across the country for whom soccer is a touchstone, and who’ve also woven the sport into American culture and life. And we go back
Who Gets to Define 'American Art'? Inside the 2026 Whitney Biennial
Inside one of the country’s largest contemporary art exhibitions, the Whitney Biennial, slimy green sculptures stare back at you, the scent of lemongrass fills the air, and the hum of insects surrounds you. This year, for the first time in the museum’s history, the exhibition is co-curated by a Latina. Marcela Guerrero brings a new perspective to the prestigious show. Of the 56 total a
The Legacy of Tejano Music: From Selena to Beyoncé and Kacey Musgraves
In February 2026, The Mariachi Brothers, a musical group of 3 teenage boys, were detained by ICE during a scheduled court check-in. After their release, the brothers were invited by Country music star Kacey Musgraves to open her shows in New Braunfels, Texas. Continuing the legacy of Tejano Music, that in many ways is the story of Texas, migration, and the tension of assimilation. In this ep
My Futuro is Impactful: Our Projects for 2026
It’s been a time of growth at Futuro – we’ve been breaking news and bringing rigorous in-depth journalism at Latino USA, creating ambitious podcasts at Futuro Studios, and sharing some awesome behind the scenes moments and stories at Futuro+ with our subscribers. In this week's special episode, Futuro Studios Executive Editor and host Maria Garcia is joined by Managing Editor of
How Brazilian Women Turned an Ulcer Pill Into a Safe Abortion Method
This week, we’re presenting the first episode of “The Network,” a series that Latino USA co-produced with NPR’s Embedded. In the mid-1980s, an OBGYN in Brazil noticed that far fewer pregnant women at his hospital were dying from abortion complications. It wasn’t a coincidence. Brazilian women had made a discovery that allowed them to safely have abortions at home, des
'We're Leaving': Choosing to Self-Deport Under Trump 2.0
Caitlin Dickerson is a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist at The Atlantic. She has become one of the leading voices on immigration coverage for more than a decade. In this episode, Caitlin talks about her recent reporting exploring why some mixed-status families are choosing to “self deport,” what that actually looks like and why we should all consider the impact of what gets left behin
The Saint of Sex Workers: Remembering Trans Icon Cecilia Gentili
Two years after her untimely death, Cecilia Gentili remains a legendary trans icon. As International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia approaches, we celebrate it by revisiting our conversation with Gentili. In 2022 she spoke to Latino USA about her memoir, “Faltas,” written as a series of letters to people in her hometown in Argentina. Cecilia goes back to
Julieta Venegas on Her New Music, Embracing Her Roots, and Mexican Dads
Grammy award-winning Mexican artist Julieta Venegas just released an album and a memoir all about being a Norteña. But like many growing up in the north of Mexico, near the U.S. border, she was also heavily influenced by music and pop culture in English. She loved The Cure as much as she loved Juan Gabriel. Listen to Julieta Venegas talk about her iconic sound, strict Mexican dads who
'None of Us Are Safe in the United States Right Now': A Roundtable on Press Freedom
Governments worldwide are restricting press freedom, with the U.S. experiencing a drastic decline under the second Trump administration. Funding cuts to public media, lawsuits, federal censorship, and confrontations with ICE have become the norm. Journalists of color, Latino and immigrant journalists are disproportionately impacted. In this episode, we are joined by Maritza Félix, the found
'Being There Was Torture': Journalist Estefany Rodríguez on Her ICE Detention
Estefany Rodríguez, a Nashville-based journalist from Colombia, was arrested and detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement this past March. In this episode, Estefany gave Latino USA a shocking account about her detention and the inhuman conditions she experienced and witnessed. Estefany’s lawyers argue that her detention was retaliation for her reporting on immigration enforceme
Can I Go Back to Colombia?
In this intimate reflection, Colombian-American producer Tasha Sandoval takes listeners with her as she returns to her native Colombia, after a lifetime of living in the United States. For a few years, Tasha has had a growing desire: to find out what life would be like if she relocated to the country her parents left, to go back to her homeland. And she’s not the only one– Latin Americ
'I Am a Dutchirican': Puerto Rican Mennonites in Pennsylvania Dutch Country
After World War II, Puerto Ricans began settling in Pennsylvania Dutch Country, drawn by economic opportunities among Mennonite farming communities. Several generations later, they’re honoring their history and reclaiming their identity as “Dutchiricans” within the Mennonite church—and beyond. Tune in to listen to the story of a Dutchirican matriarch —from her f
‘Mexodus’: A Trump-Era Protest Musical Explores Underground Railroad to Mexico
“If Hamilton is an Obama-era hope musical, we are a Trump-era protest musical," said Nygel D. Robinson, co-creator of “Mexodus.” “Mexodus,” a high-energy Off-Broadway show that explores a lesser-known part of U.S. history: the Underground Railroad, south into Mexico. In the 1800s, thousands of enslaved Black people fled to Mexico, where slavery had been ab
'Cuba Is Next': U.S. Sanctions and the New Economy of Survival
Shortages of food, fuel, and basic goods are deepening the crisis in Cuba. For many families living on the island, survival now depends on an outside connection. In Miami, an entire economy has sprung up, with people sending packages of food, medicine, and even motorcycles, trying to fill the gap, while Trump keeps saying that “Cuba is next.” Latino USA’s Peniley Ramirez takes us
Comedy Legend John Leguizamo: A Self-Proclaimed Ghetto Intellectual and Freak
John Leguizamo is back on our screens—though he never really left. For decades he has played characters that have become comedy cult classics: Chi Chi Rodriguez in To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar, to Benny Blanco in Carlitos Way, and Tybalt in Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo + Juliet. He’s the voice of Bruno in Encanto and Sid the Sloth in Ice Age. Roles that he argues woul
A Colombian Ancestral Musical Genius You Should Know About
Petrona Martínez is one of the most important Black singers in Colombia's modern history—and she didn't get her big break until she was 60! She’s known as “the queen of bullerengue,” an ancestral music tradition that goes back to times of slavery in the Colombian Caribbean Coast. For much of her life, Petrona dealt with isolation, poverty and invisibility as a Black
Meet the Real Estate Dolls: 'We’re Big Ass Trans Women From South Texas'
Real Estate duo Miss Jamie Zapata and Kasandra Alicea went viral on social media in 2025 after showcasing luxurious homes as themselves: “Big ass trans women from South Texas.” Their content has raked in millions of views and people especially connected with them because they called themselves “The Real Estate Dolls.” The two are using their newfound virality to fight trans
'Death by a Thousand Cuts': The Crackdown of DACA Under Trump
Once a protected group of immigrants, people with DACA are now being detained and deported under the Trump administration. More than half a million people brought to the U.S. as children have gone through the rigorous process to get this protected status over the last 14 years, so what’s happening to their status now? We bring you the latest from NBC News’ Nicole Acevedo and take a loo
Mexican by Choice: Maria Hinojosa on Reclaiming Her Mexican Citizenship
In 1989, Maria Hinojosa gave up her Mexican citizenship when she became a naturalized U.S. Citizen. She didn’t know it at the time, but she’d spend years of her life trying to get that legal status. And Maria is amongst the thousands looking for belonging and political power outside of the United States. And even though Maria’s journey is very personal, it asks inherently politic
Maria Grever: Remembering the Musical Genius You Didn’t Know You Knew
In 1916, a Mexican composer named Maria Grever moved to New York City with her two kids. She went on to write about 1,000 songs until her death in 1951. She composed numerous top charting hits, scored for the big movie houses, wrote operas and Broadway musicals. One of her biggest hits from 1934 received a Grammy and yet many have never heard her name. Maria Grever the person is a mystery, making
La Brega: A 1902 Deportation Case That Reverberates Today
In 1902, Isabel González arrived in Ellis Island, pregnant, alone and with only $11.00 in her pocket. She —like others before her— was detained for being an "alien" and at risk of becoming a "burden" on the state. But Isabel took her fight to the courts, defending her right to stay in the country that had invaded her homeland just four years earlier. She fought all the way to th
“It Was Time”: Dolores Huerta’s First Interview After “Devastating” Cesar Chavez Expose
For decades, Cesar Chavez's name has been synonymous with workers’ rights. School buildings and streets bear his name. Alongside Chavez always stood Dolores Huerta. She’s a co-founder of the National Farm Workers Association and together they led a movement that profoundly transformed working conditions for farmworkers in the U.S. Now, Dolores speaks to Latino USA about being sex
‘Demographic Paranoia’: Jelani Cobb on ICE, Race, and the Importance of History
“We are dealing with the consequences of a demographic paranoia now.” Journalist, historian, and author Jelani Cobb often looks to the past to better understand the present, and he says the right’s pushback against immigration and multiculturalism is rooted in this country’s history. He speaks with Maria Hinojosa about the parallels between recent ICE raids and the Fugitive
The Tuba's Emancipation: Unknown History, Magic, and Lessons From the World of Band
Journalist and author Sam Quinones spent his career reporting on crime, drug trafficking and addiction. After his latest book on the opioid epidemic, he turned to a vastly different topic that long held his interest—the tuba, an instrument that for decades was often looked down on or ignored. The more Quinones learned about the tuba, and the people that dedicate their lives to masterin
Los Oscars Are Back: Sinners, Battles, and Secret Agents
The Oscars are back! The live three-hour broadcast can be a pressure cooker of high emotional stakes, with technical failures and unpredictable celebrity behavior. All leading to a range of cultural moments from slaps to political dissent. In anticipation of this year's Oscars, Maria Hinojosa sits down with film critics Rosa Parra and Carlos Aguilar to break down this year’s nomination
Six Weeks and One Day: A Day Inside an Atlanta Abortion Clinic
In Georgia, most abortions are illegal after six weeks, which is often before most people even realize that they are pregnant. At one abortion clinic in Atlanta, Tracii, the head of security, spends her days guiding patients past shouting protestors of megaphones, and into the clinic where she assures them that they are safe. In this episode, Maria Hinojosa interviews producers, Soledad O’Br
'Testing Grounds': How the U.S.-Mexico Border and Honduras Help Explain Immigration Enforcement Today
What started decades ago at the U.S.-Mexico border didn’t stay there. Journalist, author, and professor Jean Guerrero speaks with Maria Hinojosa and argues that communities on the southern border were a “testing ground” for the increased immigration enforcement that we’re seeing play out across U.S. cities. Jean also makes the case that Honduras may be the next laboratory f
USA Under Trump: The Mass Detention Economy and the Fight for Democracy
After the longest State of the Union address in U.S. history this past Tuesday, we go beyond the lies and omissions to assess where our country stands. A sobering look at what President Trump has built, and dismantled, during his second term in office. We analyze plans to build an economy around mass immigration detention, the precarious state of finances in so many U.S. households, and the duty c
Born in Exile: Ana Tijoux on Music and Resistance
Ana Tijoux’s decades-long career is recognized and regarded for music that disregards borders and genres. Born in France to Chilean parents who fled Augusto Pinochet’s dictatorship in the 70s, Ana Tijoux grew up between worlds. Rooted in culture and global by nature, her music is heavily influenced by Chilean musical revolutionaries and French and US hip hop of the 90s, including great
It’s an 'Information War': A Look Behind ICE’s Viral Social Media Campaign
ICE is waging an “information war” on social media, TV, and radio. Washington Post reporters got access to thousands of chats and internal communications from the employees running PR for the Department of Homeland Security. They run a taxpayer-funded media machine whose main goal is to go viral, whether people love or hate the content. The goal is to go viral. But recent polling
Culture Is Freedom: Remembering Garifuna Legend Aurelio Martínez
Last year in March, Honduran composer and singer artist Aurelio Martinez died in a tragic plane crash. Aurelio was the voice of the Garifuna people and a fierce defender of their music and culture. Almost two decades ago, producer Marlon Bishop became friends with Aurelio, living and traveling with him for several months. He shares the story of their time together. Latino USA is the longest-runnin
More Than a Friendship: An Intimate Conversation With Actors Diego Luna and Gael García Bernal
Valentine’s Day is not just about romantic love, we celebrate love and friendship in el día del amor y la amistad. So for this episode Maria Hinojosa sits down with award-winning Mexican actors and best friends Diego Luna and Gael García Bernal. They discuss how they foster their lifelong friendship, and how the two create politically powerful art. The duo also talks about Hulu
La Brega: Who Are Our Puerto Rican Champions?
It was January 24, 2022. The King of Spain was coming to Puerto Rico. But everyone woke up to unexpected news: the statue of the Spanish conquistador Juan Ponce de León in Old San Juan had been toppled. When the mayor promised to restore it that same day, it raised questions: Who deserves to be put up on a pedestal? Who are our champions? Today, we bring you the first episode of the n
Untangling the Many Meanings Behind 'La Brega' and Its Ubiquity Among Puerto Ricans
As we celebrate the release of season three of Futuro Studios’ hit-show La Brega, we take you back to where it all first started: Season 1, Episode 1. Host Alana Casanova-Burgess sets out to define the many meanings of “la brega”—one of them being the struggle—and its ubiquity among Boricuas. Alana takes us from potholes, to protests and metaphors, to comp
Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl Inolvidable: Predictions, Politics, and NFL’s Motives
The NFL’s all-American spectacle is back with its Super Bowl halftime musical extravaganza…and it’ll be mostly en ESPAÑOL! Puerto Rico’s own Bad Bunny, is one of the biggest artists in the world, and on Feb. 8, all eyes will be on him We speak with Vanessa Diaz, co-author of "P FKN R: How Bad Bunny Became the Global Voice of Puerto Rican Resistance"; journalist Tess
Inside 'The Rip': Three Latinas Star in Netflix’s Newest Crime Thriller
Netflix’s newest crime thriller, The Rip, brings together three Latina actresses: Catalina Sandino Moreno, Sasha Calle, and Lina Esco. The Colombian women share the silver screen with Hollywood heavyweights, Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, in this high-stakes cop film, directed by Joe Carnahan. The cast reflect on their careers, from independent films like Maria Full of Grace to becoming the fir
One Year After the LA Fires: Recovery, Toxic Soil, and Scams
“Our government has failed us in many ways.” A year has passed since the fires in Los Angeles devastated Altadena, CA. Who gets to rebuild? Who stays and who leaves? We begin by checking back in with Sal Saucedo, a hairdresser who spoke to us after his home became rubble. He has since planted new roots by opening a hair salon in Mexico City. Then we delve deeper into
Podcast Special: “Enough is Enough”: The Fight Against ICE In Minnesota
Minnesotans say ICE agents and other federal officers have been terrorizing residents as part of “Operation Metro Surge” for nearly a month. And as ICE’s enforcement becomes more militarized and their numbers grow, so does the network of resistance created by everyday citizens. We speak to a local grassroots organizer and a journalist about the latest on the ground, the sup
Being Bruja: How One Journalist Tapped Into Her Ancestral Power and Became a Witch
When Journalist Zayda Rivera decided to become a witch, people in her life thought it was a joke–many did not take her seriously. Still, Zayda was confident in her choice to follow the ancient practice of brujería. Last year, Zayda published her debut children's book, Being Bruja: A Young Mystics Guide and its Spanish version, Vivir Bruja. This Brujería 101-guide provides
Mirta Ojito on Memory, Migration and the Stories the Ocean Keeps
“Suddenly, a memory assaulted me: For my own journey from Cuba four decades earlier, I had worn the red polyester bell-bottom pants my mother had made.” Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Mirta Ojito joins us to talk about the inspiration behind her new novel, Deeper Than the Ocean. Mirta reflects on the real shipwreck that sparked the idea for her novel, her own immigration story of le
The World Through the Eyes of Comedian Julio Torres
Born in El Salvador, Julio Torres has become a big name in comedy. From writing for SNL and having an HBO comedy special, to making and starring in his own films, Julio's dry style is unique: it’s highly visual and deeply inquisitive, and at Latino USA we love it! In this reimagined interview from a couple years ago, Julito spoke to us about developing his own comedic approach, his journey i
The Fall of Maduro and the Rise of an “Unconstrained” Trump
The capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro marks yet another chapter in a long history of U.S. interventionism across Latin America. We talk to an expert on democracy to make sense of the incursion, how it could destabilize the entire rules-based international order, and why Americans should be concerned about the rise of an “unconstrained and autocratic” Trump. Plus, we
Mary’s Journey: The Costs of Caring for a Loved One in Prison
One in four women in the United States has a family member in prison — and those carrying the resulting financial and emotional burden are disproportionately women of color. Mary Estrada is one of them. She’s been taking care of her husband, Robert, for 40 years, as he’s been in and out of prison throughout his adult life. Most Sundays, Mary wakes up at 3 a.m. and drives 135 mile
Unexplainable’s “Listen to the Universe” and the Discoveries of Wanda Diáz-Merced
As you start the New Year, we wanted to bring you an episode from our friends at Vox’s podcast Unexplainable that we think you’ll like. It’s about a scientific mystery and with a Puerto Rican astronomer at the center of it all. Wanda Diáz-Merced lost her sight as a college student, she thought her dreams of becoming an astronomer were over — until she learned to list
“My Divo”: The Long-Lost Prison File
Earlier this week we brought you an episode from “My Divo” which we think you’ll enjoy as you slow down this holiday season. This is Ep. 3: “The Long-Lost Prison File” In it, host Maria Garcia looks for answers about Juan Gabriel in Mexico and discovers government files about the artist that have never come to light. As Maria learns more about Juan Gabriel’s sto
My Divo: A Podcast About Going Back to Your Roots, With the Life of Juan Gabriel as a Guide
As you enjoy time during this holiday slowdown, we want to share an episode of the “My Divo” podcast. In this episode we hear how for host Maria Garcia, Mexican megastar Juan Gabriel has always held a singular allure. He was a prolific composer and one of the world’s greatest showmen. There was a brightness to him—a big queer exuberance. And now, as the first openly gay wom
Poet Ada Limón’s Instructions on Not Giving Up
Ada Limón ended her tenure as U.S. Poet Laureate this year – the first Latina to do so. Her work has been described as both tender and resounding, it rejoices in the simplicity of everyday life. She’s been praised for tackling head-on the imperfections of her body and the failings of our governments. But even in the darkness, her poetry does not linger in despair – it alwa
'You Gotta Be Right Down the Middle': NBC Anchor Tom Llamas Is Not Picking Sides
Journalist Tom Llamas made history this year when he became the first Latino to anchor a major weekday evening news show in English. Every weekday, around six million viewers across the country tune in to NBC Nightly News to watch Tom give the latest national and international news. He’s been in broadcast journalism for more than 25 years. He joined Maria Hinojosa to talk about how his
A Teen’s Detention Diary and the Man Who Helped Share It With the World
D. Esperanza is 14 years old. After traveling with his cousins from Honduras, he is held in the horrors of U.S. detention in Texas. For five months, while there, D. kept a journal of poems, drawings. It’s his memory of survival. Months later, Geraldo Iván Morales found the journal, about to be trashed. Now, D. and Gerardo are coauthors of "Detained," a book based on D.’s journal
How a White House Lie About “Sex Changes” in Guatemala Helped Decimate USAID
Earlier this year, the White House falsely claimed that millions of US taxpayers' dollars were funding “sex changes” in Guatemala — a lie used to justify gutting USAID, which has provided aid worldwide for more than 60 years. In this episode, we travel to Guatemala to uncover the truth, hear from local organizations caught in the controversy, and learn how losing USAID funding ha
How Becoming a US Citizen Just Got Harder Under the Trump Administration
This week, Latino USA shares an episode from our friends at LAist’s Imperfect Paradise about a new set of citizenship test guidelines. Recently, the federal government pushed out new guidelines for naturalization, changes that are reshaping what it means to become a U.S. American. LAist Higher Education Reporter Julia Barajas takes us inside a citizenship prep class at Pasadena City College
48 Hours at El Refugio: A Haven for Families of ICE Detainees
In a rural town in south Georgia, sits “El Refugio,” a charming white home with green shutters. For 15 years, thousands have walked through its doors during the hardest moments of their lives. The house serves as a refuge for families of immigrants detained just two miles away at one of the largest immigration detention centers in the U.S.. In recent months, the visits to El Refu
This Giving Tuesday, Futuro reflects back on 2025
It’s been quite the year, for the United States and for Futuro Media. At Latino USA, we’re bringing you in-depth reporting from the front lines. At Futuro Studios, we’re developing ground-breaking shows like La Brega Season 3, which is set to premiere early next year. In this special Giving Tuesday episode, Futuro Media founder Maria Hinojosa reflects on the year behind and the y
Mezcal: From Farms to Bars and the Unseen Consequences of Its Popularity
For some years now, mezcal, Mexico’s other national spirit, has been in a cultural spotlight in and out of Mexico—especially here in the U.S. But the unseen devastating consequences of that demand have had a profound impact on the people making it. In this episode of Latino USA, we take a journey to Oaxaca to understand the ancestral connections to mezcal, how the spirit is made, and h
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Becoming: HER with Nikki Spoelstra
